Jury finds Ferrell not guilty

The Robinson family was in a state of disbelief as they heard the verdict of not guilty for Jonathan Ferrell, who was charged with murder in the shooting death of Wyatt Robinson, Jr.

Tension had been growing between the two families during the week before the shooting. Jonathan Ferrell had called Rebecca Robinson and arranged a meeting to talk to her of a suspected relationship between his wife and her husband. Wyatt and Rebecca Robinson had each made one visit to the Ferrell home to talk. After hearing of another conversation between Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Ferrell, Mr. Robinson decided to go to back to the Ferrell home on the evening of November 21, 2010. Closing arguments Friday morning told two different versions of what may have happened during that visit.

Prosecuting Attorney Todd Goudy told the jury Jonathan Ferrell may have been angry about the relationship Robinson was having with his wife. He said Ferrell may have manipulated the situation to get Robinson there, giving him an opportunity to shoot him. He said the fact Ferrell armed himself before going out to talk with Robinson may have been an indication of a premedition. He reiterated testimony of concerns and theories about the number of times and placement of shots, as well as where Mr. Robinson’s body was after being shots ended.

Defense Attorney Brian Abraham told the jury Wyatt Robinson may have been angry and ready for a fight when he went to Ferrell’s house. Abraham said Mr. Ferrell may have been afraid Robinson might harm him or his family and armed himself for protection before going out on the porch to ask Robinson to leave. Abraham concluded the story saying Ferrell’s instincts may have taken over and he shot Robinson after being hit in the face hard enough to loosen his teeth and knock him off balance. He said witnesses testified to one long shot or one burst of shots, the expert had demonstrated how the placement might have come about and the crime scene was compromised following the shooting and the two casings found away from the porch may have been kicked or otherwise carried away from the others.

The only two people who could know exactly what happened that night were Jonathan Ferrell, who was able to tell his recollection of the events that led up to the shooting, and Wyatt Robinson, who took his version to the grave.